Braves vs. Cubs Prediction, Odds & Props for Sept. 15: Atlanta Wins 2nd Game

In the second game of a National League series between two teams that may meet in the playoffs, the Chicago Cubs host the Atlanta Braves. Let’s dive into this Braves vs. Cubs prediction to get the game info, player props, the latest odds, and the starting pitching matchup.

The Braves lost the opener of this series, and they have lost two in a row after winning three in a row. They lead the NL East by 4.5 games over the Philadelphia Phillies, from whom they took two of three games in the last series.

The Cubs have won three of their last four games after a four-game skid and, while out of the NL Central race, they have the second Wild Card spot.

Caesars Sportsbook lists the Cubs as the moneyline favorites in Game 2 of this series at -140 with the Braves at +118 and a total of 8.5 runs.

Braves Pitchers Struggling on the Mound

The Braves rank a solid fourth in the Majors in team ERA, but they have given up 16 runs in losing the last two games. They lost 7-3 in the opener of this series, where Mike Yastrzemski hit a two-run pinch-hit home run and Sean Murphy drove in a run.

This season, Atlanta ranks eighth in runs scored.

Matt Olson (.248, 39 home runs, 85 RBIs) leads the club in at-bats, home runs, and RBIs and is in a big slump, batting .122 this month with two home runs and five RBIs in 12 games. Michael Harris (.292, 35 home runs, 83 RBIs) leads the team in batting average and ranks second in home runs and RBIs, but he is only batting .177 this month, also with two home runs and five RBIs.

The Braves have split the four games facing the Cubs this season.

Atlanta Starter for Game 2 

Martin Perez (8-9, 3.08 ERA, 1.25 WHIP) starts for the Braves and is coming off a gem in his last start, tossing seven scoreless innings in a win. Atlanta has won two of its last three starts, and it has been up and down in its last few starts. This season, he has 98 strikeouts and 55 walks in 131 2/3 innings, and his lone appearance facing the Cubs was one scoreless inning out of the bullpen.

Crow-Armstrong Adds to MVP Resume

At the best US sportsbooks, Pete Crow-Armstrong is the major favorite to win the NL MVP, and in the opener of this series, he was 4-for-4 with a home run and 4 RBIs.

Chicago is the highest-scoring team in baseball and ranks 18th in team ERA.

Crow-Armstrong (.281, 42 home runs, 102 RBIs) ranks second in the Majors in home runs, third in RBIs, and has three home runs and seven RBIs this month. Alex Bregman (.262, 25 home runs, 84 RBIs) ranks second on the Cubbies in home runs and RBIs, and while going 0-for-4 in the series opener, he is batting .351 this month.

Chicago Starter for Game 2 

Kevin Gausman (9-12, 4.60 ERA, 1.29 WHIP) gets the nod for the Cubs, who had won four in a row with him on the mound before losing the last game, when he was shelled for seven runs in only four innings. Like Perez, he has been up and down lately. Chicago has won five of his seven starts since coming to town in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays. Has given up at least five runs in three of them. This season, Gausman has logged 166 1/3 innings, 171 strikeouts, and 46 walks.

Braves vs. Cubs Prediction 

I am going with the Braves in this one, as Perez is coming off a solid outing and will pitch well, while Gausman, who has given up at least five runs in two of his last three outings, will not fare as well.

Atlanta’s lineup will be decent, but Perez and the Braves’ bullpen, which ranks third in the Majors in bullpen ERA, will get them the win in Game 2 tonight.

Best Bet: Braves Moneyline (+118, Caesarsl)

Braves vs. Cubs Player Prop Bets 

We scoured Caesars Sportsbook for solid value player prop bets ahead of the game on Tuesday.

• Kevin Gausman Over 5.5 strikeouts: (+110, Caesarsl) – Gausman ranks tied for 20th in strikeouts, and he has at least six Ks in each of his last four starts, even his last one, where he had six even though he gave up seven runs and only lasted four innings.

• Matt Olson to hit a home run: (+330, Caesarsl) – While Olson is struggling, he ranks fourth in the Majors in home runs, went yard in the game before the last one, and Gausman has given up six homers over his last three starts.
• Drake Baldwin Over 1.5 bases: (+123, Caesarsl) – He has hit safely in the last seven games and has over 1.5 bases in two of the last three games.